Quiz | June 2013

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

Attending weddings can often seem as expensive as throwing one. But you don't have to break the bank in order to celebrate your friends' and family members' entree into a lifetime of wedded bliss (or their first runs at marriage, as the case may be). Do you know what it takes to be a gracious guest on a budget? Take our quiz to find out.

Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 1 of 10

The least you should spend on a wedding gift is…

$50
$100
$200
There really is no minimum

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 1 of 10

The least you should spend on a wedding gift is…

You're Right!There really is no minimum is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is There really is no minimum.

Sure, a washcloth or bookmark may be too small a gift, says Anna Post, of the Emily Post Institute. But you should spend whatever amount makes you and your budget comfortable. If you buy something from the registry, you know the bride and groom will like it.

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How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 2 of 10

True or false: The special hotel rate the couple scored for their guests will definitely be the best local lodging deal.

True
False

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 2 of 10

True or false: The special hotel rate the couple scored for their guests will definitely be the best local lodging deal.

You're Right!False is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is False.

We're sure the couple did their best to help you with local accommodations. But sometimes you can find a better deal on your own. Check the hotel's Web site and other travel sites for current deals or cheaper rooms outside of the wedding block. And look around the area for more affordable hotels.

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 3 of 10

True or false: If you can't attend the wedding, you should still send a gift.

True
False

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 3 of 10

True or false: If you can't attend the wedding, you should still send a gift.

You're Right!True is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is True.

The only reason to skip the gift is if the invitation appears entirely out of the blue — for example, from a distant relative whom you've never met or the daughter of an elementary school friend you forgot existed. But if it's someone who has some presence in your life, send a gift.

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 4 of 10

True or false: If you can't attend the bridal shower, you should still send a gift.

True
False

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 4 of 10

True or false: If you can't attend the bridal shower, you should still send a gift.

You're Right!False is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is False.

When it comes to bridal showers, non-attendees can skip the gift, says etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, owner of The Protocol School of Texas. But you'll need to give a wedding gift, whether or not you attend.

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How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 5 of 10

You didn't receive a plus-one on your invitation, but you really want to bring a date. You should…

Bring a date; it's a wedding, after all
Leave your date at home; just bring yourself
Call the bride to ask permission to bring another guest

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 5 of 10

You didn't receive a plus-one on your invitation, but you really want to bring a date. You should…

You're Right!Leave your date at home; just bring yourself is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is Leave your date at home; just bring yourself.

If the option isn't presented on your invitation, you don't have the option. One caveat, says Post, is if there is a clear oversight — in other words, you are married to, engaged to or living with the forgotten invitee. In that case, you can call or write the couple and ask. "Say, 'Just checking in — I didn't see my fiancé's name on the invitation.' Then go from there," says Post.

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How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 6 of 10

You're attending your cousin's destination wedding in Cozumel, and the flight and hotel costs are considerable. Is it okay to spend a little less on the present than you normally would?

Yes
No

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How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 6 of 10

You're attending your cousin's destination wedding in Cozumel, and the flight and hotel costs are considerable. Is it okay to spend a little less on the present than you normally would?

You're Right!Yes is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is Yes.

If your budget is stretched thin by travel expenses, you're allowed to dial back the gift. Many couples throwing a destination wedding will say that your presence is gift enough. But if you feel the need to give something anyway, choose a thoughtful gift with a palatable price. The couple should understand.

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 7 of 10

What should you do if you RSVP "yes" but later find you are unable to attend?

Nothing; they won't miss you
Call the bride or groom ASAP
Send lookalike actors to replace you at the ceremony and reception

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 7 of 10

What should you do if you RSVP "yes" but later find you are unable to attend?

You're Right!Call the bride or groom ASAP is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is Call the bride or groom ASAP.

If your plans change, give the couple a chance to adjust the head count or invite someone on the B-list. And you should still send a gift.

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 8 of 10

Your high school friend invites you to be in her wedding party, but money is tight and you're worried about expenses. You should:

Just say yes; that's what credit cards are for
Politely decline and explain why
Do something to sabotage your friendship and convince her to rescind the invitation

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How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 8 of 10

Your high school friend invites you to be in her wedding party, but money is tight and you're worried about expenses. You should:

You're Right!Politely decline and explain why is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is Politely decline and explain why.

It is perfectly polite to decline bridesmaid duties. You might offer to assist in other ways on the wedding day, perhaps by doing a reading or being an usher. And let the bride know that the reason is money-based, if you're comfortable doing so. She might surprise you by chipping in for some of the expenses.

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How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 9 of 10

A "dollar dance" is…

When the father of the bride pays you to stop dancing
Something that happens at the bachelorette party
When guests pay for a dance with the bride or groom

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 9 of 10

A "dollar dance" is…

You're Right!When guests pay for a dance with the bride or groom is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is When guests pay for a dance with the bride or groom.

A tradition in some cultures, the dollar dance is a way for guests to spend some time with the bride and give another small gift. Some say it's tacky. Some say it's tradition. You don't have to participate if it makes you uncomfortable.

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How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 10 of 10

You can wait up to a year after the wedding to give your gift.

True
False

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Quiz

How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Question 10 of 10

You can wait up to a year after the wedding to give your gift.

You're Right!False is correct.

Sorry, wrong! is incorrect.

The right answer is False.

Three months is more appropriate. It's better to send something eventually than nothing at all. But the idea that you have a year is a myth.

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How to Be a Money-Smart Wedding Guest

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Editor's Picks From Kiplinger

answer_num=4,2,1,2,2,1,2,2,3,2|answer_text="There really is no minimum","False","True","False","Leave your date at home; just bring yourself","Yes","Call the bride or groom ASAP","Politely decline and explain why","When guests pay for a dance with the bride or groom","False"|total_questions=10|url=/quiz/spending/T062-S003-how-to-be-a-money-smart-wedding-guest/index.html|total_pages=22|page_id=11399|evaltext_num=5|evaltext0=10,10,Be our guest!|evaltext1=7,9,You can join our party anytime!|evaltext2=4,6,Thanks for coming! But you could brush up on your etiquette knowledge before next wedding season.|evaltext3=1,3,You could brush up on your etiquette knowledge before next wedding season.|evaltext4=0,0,How rude!|kipad_id=LeisureSpendingQuizzes